What a 1927 Bentley Taught Us About Building Beautiful Homes

Last weekend, we had the rare privilege of attending a private live-filming of the Adrian Cox Jazz Trio at the stunning Gun Hill Studios in East Sussex. With only seven guests in the audience, the atmosphere was intimate and unexpectedly enlightening.

Amongst the guests was a gentleman and his wife, who had accompanied what can only be described as a masterpiece on wheels; a fully restored, one-of-a-kind 1927 Bentley Boat Tail. The craftsmanship was exquisite. Every curve, every detail, every gleaming finish told a story of care, vision, and devotion to excellence. It wasn’t just a car; it was living history. A precision of detail. It was ART.

Over the course of the evening, as jazz melodies danced through the room, we struck up conversation.

In conversation, the Bentley’s owner shared a heartfelt (and familiar) confession: he and his wife had been living in their garage for four years while self-managing a renovation project. Delays. Budget blowouts. Repeated decisions being re-made. The cost of indecision. He wasn’t complaining, he was being honest.

As builders, we know this story is more common than you’d think.

This gentleman (and he is a true gentleman), took it in his stride, acknowledging the delays as being a “self-inflicted pain” rather than due to unforeseen circumstances. Not cowboy builders or supply chain woes. Simply, changing his mind; especially where finishes were concerned.

Their experience - though not ours to share in detail - echoes what we see far too often in our line of work: the emotional and financial cost of unclear and / or ever changing plans.

At Neways Group Ltd, we often talk about craftsmanship. But craftsmanship doesn’t just mean using the best materials or hiring skilled tradespeople. It means clarity. It means intentionality. And most of all, it means decisions made with confidence, not hesitation.

Of course, anyone has the right to change their mind; that’s one of the greatest freedoms we have in this life. And it’s incredibly easy to do, especially in today’s world. You’ll spot something in a magazine, scroll past a beautifully styled reel on social media, and suddenly think, “Thats it! I want that!” But here’s the truth: those “I want that” moments rarely stop at surface level.

A seemingly simple change, like switching to a different bath tub or adding additional lighting, can trigger a cascade of revisions behind the scenes. Plumbing may need re-routing. Electrical layouts might require complete redesigns. Finishes that looked like quick swaps on Pinterest can unravel entire timelines, budgets, and structural plans.

And it’s not because your dream is too extravagant; it’s because every detail is connected to a foundation you often can’t see.

That’s why, at Neways, we help clients define their vision from the start. So their dream doesn’t get delayed or derailed by the snowball effect of reactive decisions.

Whether it’s restoring a heritage bathroom or installing a dream kitchen, our design-supply-install approach helps clients avoid the trap of indecision. We encourage our clients to ‘start with the end in mind’, we help map everything out clearly before the first hammer swings. And we stay committed to your vision, so you don’t have to reimagine the project halfway through (and re-budget along with it). Of course if you change your mind from Chrome finishes to Antique Brass, half way through, these are the more ‘superficial finishes’ that can be far more easily accommodated.

The point is:

That Bentley reminded us of why we do what we do. When vision and craftsmanship align, the result is timeless.

Whether it’s a classic car or a character kitchen, the secret to excellence is the same: start with a clear vision, invest in quality, and trust the hands that bring it to life.

Refinement takes time, but confusion can cause it to take longer. So if you’re dreaming of a renovation that sings, talk to us first. We’ll help you get in tune.

Because like jazz, and a vintage Bentley, a beautiful home is best enjoyed when the notes are played just right.